In addition to medical costs, autism takes a financial toll in hidden ways as well, according to the latest tally

U.S. and U.K. scientists have completed the most comprehensive analysis of the costs associated with supporting a child with an autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) over a lifetime and found that those whose ASD is linked with intellectual disability can accrue up to $2.4 million while those without intellectual disability require about $1.4 million in medical, nonmedical and indirect costs. And that’s on top of the average $241,000 that it takes to raise a child to age 18 in the U.S.

These estimates, published in JAMA Pediatrics, are higher than previous ones, and highlight how diverse the costs of autism can be, from the more obvious medical fees to the hidden economic, social and even less tangible psychological ones.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Lindsay Graham grew up in the same church attended by her parents and
grandparents, and she expected the same would be true for her children. That
changed when her son, J.D., was diagnosed with autism at age 2.

It was time to find another church, one equipped to handle children with
disabilities. They ended up at First Baptist Orlando, which has a special needs
ministry for children.

Friday, June 27, 2014

States with the weakest infrastructure for diagnosing children with autism often lack laws requiring compensation for treatment costs, finds an analysis published 30 April in the journal Autism.

Only 37 out of 50 states and the District of Columbia mandate that private insurers cover behavioral therapies for children with autism. Behavioral interventions can help children with autism build basic skills and may reduce costs for their care in adulthood. But treatment costs range from $10,000 to $100,000 a year, making insurance companies reluctant to pay for it. In some states, mandates settle this problem.

During the summertime, everyday life creates new classrooms in the kitchen, backyard or wherever we may be. Math lessons and speech therapy happen at the neighborhood lemonade stand. Science and sensory integration are part of the discovery process while digging in the garden. Family fun can unlock teachable moments and develop relationship skills such as eye contact, joint attention, emotion sharing and episodic memory.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Lisa M's Top Multiplayer Games

Having three children who are on the Autism Spectrum and have difficulty with joint attention and sharing means I am always on the look out for good multiplayer apps to help them to learn these skills.

The apps on this list are good for teaching these important life skills to ALL children in an entertaining way.

They also create a good opportunity to teach children to be good losers.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

The National Disability Institute -LEAD Center conducted a webinar about Home and Community Based Services. Review the archived recording and the presentation materials from June 25, 2014 explaing the new employment settings regulations released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

LEAD Center - Leadership for the Employment and Advancement of People with Disabilities
Click the link below.

Carson Luke, a young boy with autism, shattered bones in his hand and foot after educators grabbed him and tried to shut him into a “scream room.” Kids across the country risked similar harm at least 267,000 times in just one school year.

Students were subject to restraint and seclusion hundreds of thousands of times
in one school year, a new analysis finds, and that’s likely just the tip of the
iceberg.

Efforts in Congress in recent years to establish nationwide standards
limiting the use of restraint and seclusion in schools have stalled. While
favored by disability advocates, groups representing school administrators have
fought proposals to restrict the practices and insist that restraint and
seclusion are only used as a last resort.

The Autism Champions Initiative empowers our community’s strongest champions – you – to connect with Congress like never before.

Are your Legislators members of the Autism Congressional Caucus?

*The Congressional Autism Caucus is a bi-partisan coalition of more than 125 members. This website is designed to connect champions like you to all members in Congress, regardless of their membership in the Congressional Autism Caucus.Click below to see.

Look up your local legislators and encourage them to be a champion for the autism community.

Autism Champions is now official! If you missed our webinar presentation, join us on Twitter at 3 pm EST by following #AutismChampions. And watch the video below to learn how YOU can connect with your federal and state legislators at the click of a button!

This quarter, 32 organizations providing swimming and water safety lessons to the autism community have been awarded funding of up to $2,000 each. This fund, announced in early 2014, selects eligible organizations and programs to identify qualified financially disadvantaged individuals with autism to participate in swimming and water safety lessons. VIew a list of this quarter's recipients here!

Through the first round of this new scholarship fund, a total of $37,000 was awarded in May to 15 organizations.

Whether you’re taking a daytrip or overnight vacation, learning a few simple strategies can help families eat well, while sticking to a special diet.
Get tips and ideas on what to pack, meal ideas, storing food, hotel rooms-refrigerators and kitchenettes, motels/residence inns with kitchenette, restaurants, and much more!

NEW BILLING POSSIBILITIES FOR ABA PRACTITIONERS: Since its establishment in 1974 ABAI has emphasized the scientific basis of applied behavior analysis (ABA) practice; training and the promotion of educational standards have been high priorities.
.... As of July 1, 2014 three assessment and seven intervention methods have been recognized as having scientific merit, and thereby justifying coverage by health care insurers, including Medicaid. The primary service recipient group is children and youth with autism spectrum disorders, but those with related conditions are included. In the coming months ABAI will be sponsoring regional workshops, webinars, and other means to introduce ABA practitioners to new current procedural terminology (CPT) billing codes. Please click the following link for more information: https://www.abainternational.org/constituents/practitioners/practice-resources/cptcodes.aspx.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Sabatina’s bill to end that discrimination has been dubbed “Paul’s Law,” after Paul Corby, an autistic man from Schuylkill County (second from right in photo) whose mother, Karen Corby, says he was diagnosed with a condition that makes his heart less able to pump blood.

photo credit: (Karen Corby, the mother of an autistic man, speaks in favor of legislation that would give the disabled equal access to organ transplants. Photo by Tony Romeo)

Friday, June 20, 2014

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services invited public comment in 2011 on establishing minimum quality standards for providers of home and community based services (HCBS). The Autistic Self Advocacy Network joined with two other self-advocacy groups, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered and the National Youth Leadership Network, to prepare a report on what community living means. In addition to discussing what kinds of living arrangements should qualify for HCBS funds, this report addressed policy issues in the areas of housing, education, employment, and transportation.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

More and more films are being made about the vital role that fathers play in the
development of their children. Society is entering a new era of parenting, when
fathers, instead of being emotionally distant breadwinners, are stepping up to
the plate of direct, hands-on parenting. The special bond between father and son
is one of the greatest gifts life can offer. The Horse Boy
tells this story.

The Horse Boy explores one family's journey as they travel halfway across the world in search of a miracle to heal their autistic son.

The Horse Boy does more than chronicle Rowan and his
parents' journey across the vast, wild landscape of Mongolia. It delves into the
strange world of autism itself, the relationship between humans and animals and
between different cultures and different ways of being (autistic vs. normal, or
"neuro-typical"), and the nature of healing.

Buy The Horse Boy book and dvd (USA, UKEurope, Australia). Watch the movie on Amazon Kindle.

Go the official site for the THE HORSE BOY to view the official trailer.Additionally, click below to view The Horse Boy official trailers:

Friday, June 13, 2014

Two strangers, each living at the edges of society, are fatefully united for a harrowing and inspirational journey through the enchanting vistas of New Mexico. A passionate young woman escaping her abusive past, and a reclusive young man with Autism, take a journey that redefines the notion of family.Starring Chris Marquette, Rumer Willis, Brendan Sexton III With Bruce Altman And Veronica CartwrightDirected By Rajeev Nirmalakhandan

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About 'EnjoyHi5!Autism'

'EnjoyHi5!Autism'-'Life on the Autism Spectrum can be Enjoyable.' for People who are living on the Autism Spectrum. Individuals with Autism are enjoying their lives. Hi5! Self-Advocates, Family, Friends, Caregivers and Supporters.
Autism is a neuro-biological condition that is considered a developmental disability. AUTISM usually affects individuals in the areas of communication, socialization and behavior. Often, a Sensory Diet, Speech/Language, a routine schedule, Socialization, Inclusion and Integration, coupled with Behavior Intervention Plans, ABA therapies and various services/supports are essential. These strategies and techniques enhance Productivity, Independence, and Self- Determination in the lives of individuals on the Autism Spectrum. 'Life on the Autism Spectrum can be ENJOYable.' Follow our 'EnjoyHi5Autism' microblogs and 'Enjoying The Hi5s of Autism-A Family Experience'.{See affiliate links posted below.}